"The scope and size of the Commission`s worldwide humanitarian aid decision is a sober reminder of the extent of humanitarian needs around the world. For hundreds of millions of people crises are not rare events but recurrent, seemingly unavoidable hardships," Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, was quoted as saying.

Georgieva said the EU provides humanitarian assistance solely based on where people`s needs were most pressing, and independently of any political agenda.